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2012 Color Block Trend

The Color Blocking TrendColor Blocking The 'Color Blocking' trend has yet to have the mass appeal in South Africa as it does overseas. Essentially, color blocking refers to wearing 'blocks' or a combination of different solid colors together in one outfit. Colors can be mixed, matched or clashed for maximum effect. It starts with effective color blocking, which means wearing a single bold color from head to toe.

You can pair two or three contrasting colors, anything more than four is excessive. These are some inspiring color blocking looks off the runway :

Bright colors, glossy makeup - inspiring picture

Neon MAKEUP For Spring/Summer 2012

Neon Everything For Spring/Summer 2012

I first noticed the neon trend when I was attending the SS12 press days in London late last year. Pretty much every brand that I saw had something neon or fluoro in their collection and I knew it was going to be big! Since then, I have been watching on-line as all of the stores are slowly releasing the trend. So many items are now in neon and I think it's amazing! I'm a big fan of the trend!

Color blocking is everywhere! Whether it is a sheer orange and navy tunic or a bold body-con dress, color blocking is becoming more and more popular everyday. From Marc Jacobs to Forever 21, designers from all ends of the fashion world are incorporating this flashy trend into their collections and stores.

As a result, color blocking is spreading like wildfire. Whether it's working it on a runway, strutting down the red carpet, or walking through High Street, this trend is taking over. So embrace your creative side and try it out!

Rocking the trend can be as easy as finding a few key starting pieces, and then branching out from there. Color block is not only for tops, but also pants, jackets, dresses, accessories, and even shoes.

The secret to successfully pulling off the trend is to have balance in your outfit. Keep in mind that, although going bold is the way to go, to not go overboard with the colors. Try a multicolored sweater with jeans, or some awesome color blocked pants with a plain shirt. Attempting to match everything perfectly can get pretty overwhelming, so how about hiding all your “safe” colors and adding some fun to your closet? Instead of blending in this fall, try standing out!

To wear this trend, look no further than the stores on campus: Urban Outfitters, Pitaya, American Apparel etc. or try looking online. Being a bold, colorful collegiette™ is just a few blocks away!

1. An Issa outfit in cerise and purple.

2. Nina Ricci pairs fluorescent pink with canary yellow.

3. At Giambattista Valli, orange and beige were put together.

4. Orange and turquoise are a vibrant combination at Prabal Gurung.

5. Richard Nicoll merges salmon, tangerine and hot pink.

6. At Etro, a bright shade of blue was mixed with rust.

7. Orange, pink and black was shown together on the Jil Sander runway.

8. Diane von Furstenberg united purple and orange and added an orange clutch.

To get the color block trend right, you have to know which colors complement each other best. As fun as it sounds, you can't just pile on every color you find in your wardrobe, you will end up looking like the human rainbow. It's good to anchor your outfit with a neutral color like black, white, gray or beige. To find out which colors are complementary, the use of this color wheel will help.

How to use the Color Wheel

When color blocking your outfits, try out these combinations:

*Analogous colors, which are any three colors lined up next to each other on the color wheel. Example: blue, blue-violet and violet.*Complementary colors. These are colors placed directly opposite each other on the wheel. Like red and green or yellow and violet.*90 degree angles. Combine colors that are at a right angle with each other. Example: Orange-yellow and green or red and violet.*T colors. These are colors that form a 'T' shape. Like yellow, purple and orange-red.*Jewel Co lours are equally rich and flatter each other, such as emerald green and ruby red.*Keep colors in the same saturation. Pastels with pastels, neons with neons.*Pink trick. You can substitute 'pink' for 'red' and use all the same combinations.

Now that you know how to efficiently use color, it's time to put that eye-catching outfit together. There are two ways you can do this - the right way and the bright one.For me, the combination of too many bright colors in the wrong proportions look loud and garish. You will see the difference between the 'animated' and 'understated' below.

Brights

Camilla Bellewears a tri-color ensemble by Gucci. Her tangerine blazer is worn over a purple top and emerald green pants. She also wears green Gucci heels. A fourth color is introduced with the neutral gold belt.

Cheryl Cole is highly pigmented in an orange ruffle top, aqua belt and violet high waisted flare pants that are far too long.

Nicole Scherzinger stylishly clashes green and orange, with an addition of black accessories.

Cheryl Cole gets it right this time in a cream blazer, baby pink t-shirt and royal blue pants. I adore the electric blue and nude heels she wears, which are by Christian Louboutin.

If you're still a little color shy, you can start off with a bright handbag, necklace, head band or belt. This trend is such a fun and exciting way to experiment with different color combinations. It's up to you to interpret it according to your personal style.